John R. Block

John Block
21st United States Secretary of Agriculture
In office
January 23, 1981 – February 14, 1986
PresidentRonald Reagan
Preceded byRobert Bergland
Succeeded byRichard Lyng
Illinois Director of Agriculture
In office
February 3, 1977 – January 22, 1981
GovernorJames R. Thompson
Preceded byPud Williams
Succeeded byLarry Werries
Personal details
BornJohn Rusling Block
(1935-02-15) February 15, 1935
PartyRepublican
SpouseSue Rathje
Children3
EducationUnited States Military Academy (BS)
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Unit101st Airborne

John Rusling Block (born February 15, 1935) is an American politician and lobbyist who served as United States Secretary of Agriculture during the Ronald Reagan administration from 1981 to 1986. He also served as Illinois Director of Agriculture from 1977 to 1981.